Portable article support apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus with first and second leaf spring portions extending from a bridge portion, the second leaf spring portion provides an article support mounting aperture for attachment of an article support to the second leaf spring portion by structure for attaching said article support, and additional structure for securing the article support to the second leaf spring portion is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the article support is a towel ring, the structure for attaching the towel ring to the second leaf spring portion includes a shaft extending from a distal end of a post, and a retention groove formed at a distal end of the shaft. The additional structure for securing the shaft to the second leaf spring portion includes: a compression spring enclosing the shaft and interposed between the second leaf spring portion and the post; and a fastener affixed to the retention groove.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/043,466 filed Jan. 25, 2005, entitled Portable Article SupportApparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to apparatuses used to supporthousehold goods. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to aportable article support apparatus, an example of which includes aportable article support apparatus for supporting a hand towel.

BACKGROUND

Article support apparatuses for household goods such as towels rings,towel bars, garment hooks, and toilet paper holders are typicallyfixed-in-place within a home, business, or recreational vehicle. To makehousehold goods more accessible, people are known to drape towels overoven door handles, refrigerator handles, door handles on cabinetry doorsbelow sinks, and drawer handles; or to place toilet paper on a shelfjust inside a cabinet door, or on countertop adjacent the toilet, forexample, because the fixed position toilet paper roll support apparatusis beyond a child's reach.

Generally speaking, it would be desirable for individuals to determineat will a preferred location for article support apparatuses forhousehold goods, and the ability to alter at will their preferredlocation of those article support apparatuses in response to changingdesires and needs for placement for household goods by the individual.For example, during times of illness it may be desirable to place atowel or a roll of toilet paper conveniently positioned and easilyaccessible adjacent the patient's bed, while leaving the top of thenight stand for medicines, fluids, and facial tissue. As such,challenges remain and a need persists for improvements in devices andmethods for conveniently and adaptively positioning and repositioningarticle support apparatuses for household goods in response to anindividual's changing desires and needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention preferably provides an apparatus with first andsecond leaf spring portions extending from a bridge portion, the secondleaf spring portion preferably providing an article support mountingaperture for attachment of an article support by means for attachingsaid article support, and means for securing the article support to thesecond leaf spring portion. In a preferred embodiment, the articlesupport is a towel ring, the means for attaching the towel ring to thesecond leaf spring portion includes a shaft extending from a distal endof a post, and a retention groove formed at a distal end of the shaft.The means for securing the shaft to the second leaf spring portionpreferably includes a compression spring enclosing the shaft andinterposed between a raised support region of the second leaf springportion and a distal end of the post, and a fastener affixed to theretention groove.

The preferred embodiment further includes an article support confinementaperture provided at a proximal end of the post; and an article supportmotion bushing interposed between the article support confinementaperture and the towel ring. The article support motion bushingpreferably provides a reduced friction surface for the towel ring tomove relative to the post, the first and second leaf spring portions arepreferably non-contactingly adjacent one another. The means for securingto the second leaf spring portion the means for attaching the towel ringto the second leaf spring portion preferentially includes, at least araised support region adjacent the article support mounting aperture anda fastener affixed to the retention groove.

The preferred embodiment still further includes an escutcheon providinga compression spring retention aperture, the escutcheon is positionedadjacent the raised support region, interposed between the second leafspring portion and the means for attaching the towel ring to the secondleaf spring portion, and confines the compression spring within thecompression spring retention aperture. The bridge, the first and secondleaf spring portions each include at least an internal surface and anexternal surface, and in which the apparatus further comprises aninterface surface material including at least an internal surface and anexternal surface. Preferably, the external surface of the interfacesurface material is secured to the internal surface of each: the bridge,the first and second leaf spring portions, and the internal surface ofthe interface surface material preferably mitigates abrasion of asurface interacting with the internal surface of the interface surfacematerial, such as a door front of cabinetry.

These and various other features and advantages, which characterize thepresent invention, will be apparent from a reading of the followingdetailed description and a review of the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodimentof the present inventive portable article support apparatuses.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinventive portable article support apparatuses of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of an alternate preferredembodiment of the present inventive portable article supportapparatuses.

FIG. 4 provides a side elevational view of a bridge portion with firstand second spring leaf portions extending therefrom of the alternatepreferred embodiment of the present inventive portable article supportapparatuses of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides an exploded perspective view of another alternatepreferred embodiment of the present inventive portable article supportapparatuses.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the another alternate preferredembodiment of the inventive portable article support apparatuses of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 provides an exploded perspective view of a further alternatepreferred embodiment of the present inventive portable article supportapparatuses.

FIG. 8 provides a partial cutaway elevational view of a pair ofconfinement bushings of an expandable towel bar of the further alternatepreferred embodiment of the inventive portable article supportapparatuses of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 provides a partial cutaway side elevational view of analternative preferred embodiment of the present inventive portablearticle support apparatuses.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of the alternative preferredembodiment of the inventive portable article support apparatuses of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 provides a partial cutaway side elevational view of an alternatealternative preferred embodiment of the present portable inventivearticle support apparatuses.

FIG. 12 provides a perspective view of the alternate alternativepreferred embodiment of the inventive portable article supportapparatuses of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of an alternative alternatepreferred embodiment of the present inventive portable article supportapparatuses.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart of a method of making the inventiveportable article support apparatuses of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important tounderstand that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orcarried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicatethe same parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment ofan inventive portable article support apparatus (apparatus) 100 of FIG.1 includes a utility clip 102, which provides: a bridge portion 104; afirst leaf spring portion 106 extending from a first end of the bridgeportion 104; and a second leaf spring portion 108 extending from asecond end of the bridge portion 104. The apparatus 100 further includesan article support (to be discussed in greater detail below) attached tothe second leaf spring portion 108 by means for attaching the articlesupport to the second leaf spring portion 108, and means for securing tothe second leaf spring portion said attaching means.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for attaching the article supportto the second leaf spring portion 108 includes a post 110, a shaft 112with a proximal end rigidly affixed to a distal end of the post 110, aretention groove 114 formed at a distal end of the shaft 112, an articlesupport confinement aperture 116 provided at a proximal end of the post110, and an article support motion bushing 118. The article supportmotion bushing 118 is interposed between the article support confinementaperture 116 and the article support, to provide a reduced frictionsurface for the article support to move relative to the post 110.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second leaf spring portions(106 and 108) are each: non-contactingly adjacent one another; joined tothe bridge portion 104 at a proximal end; and encounter a decreasingdistance between one another while progressing from their respectiveproximal ends to their respective distal ends. The article support of apreferred embodiment is a towel ring 120, and the means for securing tothe second spring leaf portion 108 the means for attaching the towelring 120 to the second leaf portion 108 includes at least: a raisedsupport region 122 of the second leaf spring portion 108, which enclosesan article support mounting aperture 124; a fastener 126 adjacent theraised support region 122; a compression spring 128 interposed betweenthe raised support region 122 and a distal end of the post 110; and anescutcheon 130 providing a compression spring retention aperture 132interposed between the second leaf spring portion 108 and the distal endof the post 110, and confining the compression spring 128.

The article support mounting aperture 124 is configured for slidingcommunication with the shaft 112, and upon pushing the shaft 112 throughthe article support mounting aperture 124, and exposing the retentiongroove 114 on the backside of the article support mounting aperture 124,the fastener 126 is pressed into locking engagement with the retentiongroove 114. The fastener 126 constrains both transverse and lateralmovement of the shaft 112 with any article support mounting aperture124, while accommodating rotational motion of the post 110 relative tothe second leaf spring portion 108. In pushing the shaft 112 through thearticle support mounting aperture 124, the compression spring 128undergoes compression, which results in a spring load being applied toeach the post 110 and the raised support region 122. The spring loadacts to modulate the rotational motion of the post 110 relative to thesecond leaf spring portion 108.

In an alternate embodiment, the fastener 126 is replaced with a fastener127 (see FIG. 11), wherein fastener 127 is configured to impart a springload against each the back side of the raised support region 122 and theshaft 112, once the fastener 127 lockingly engages the retention groove114. The spring load delivered by the fastener 127 is developed as aresult of increasing a length of tang members 129 (see FIG. 11) of thefastener 127 compared to a length of tang members 125 (see FIG. 11) ofthe fastener 126.

In a preferred embodiment, the bridge portion 104, the first leaf springportion 106, and the second leaf spring portion 108 collectively form aninternal surface 134 and an external surface 136. The apparatus 100preferably further includes an interface material 138 that includes atleast an internal surface 140, and an external surface 142. Preferably,the external surface 142 is secured to the collective internal surface134 of the utility clip 102, and the internal surface 140 provides anonabrasive surface, which mitigates abrasion of a surface interactingwith the internal surface 140. The interface material 138 preferablyextends to cover a first flared engagement portion 144, of the firstleaf spring portion 106, and a second flared engagement portion 146, ofthe second leaf spring portion 108. The interface material 140 ispreferably constructed from felt, but other materials such as leather;microfiber fabrics; or other long wearing, low abrasive equivalentmaterial may be used. It is also noted that the utility clip 102 ispreferably constructed from stainless-steel, but may be constructed fromother materials such as carbon fiber composites, or rigid polymers, thatis polymers with yield points greater than stainless-steel and which arenon susceptible to breakage.

FIG. 2 is provided to show the towel ring embodiment of the inventiveportable article support apparatus 100 and its assembled form. It isnoted that by providing the ability to orient the towel ring 120relative to the external surface 136 of the utility clip 102, the towelring embodiment of the inventive portable article support apparatus 100is fully functional whether the first and second leaf spring portions(106 and 108 of FIG. 1) engage, for example, a top edge of a cabinetdoor, or a side edge of the cabinet door.

Continuing with FIG. 3, shown therein is a toilet paper roll dispenserembodiment of the inventive portable article support apparatus 100. Inthe toilet paper roll dispenser embodiment, a toilet paper roll support148 replaces the towel ring 120 of FIG. 2. Other than the articlesupported, i.e., either a towel or a roll of toilet paper, both thetoilet paper roll dispenser embodiment, and the towel ring embodiment ofthe inventive portable article support apparatus 100 provide the sameconvenience, ease-of-use, and portability.

FIG. 4 is provided to enhance an understanding of the relationshipbetween various features of the utility clip 102 and the interfacematerial 138, in particular, the relationship between the raised supportregion 122 of the utility clip 102, and the external surface 142 of theinterface material 138. By securing the external surface 142 of theinterface material 138 to the collective internal surface 134 of theutility clip 102, a pocket is created to conceal the fastener 126interacting with the retention groove 114 (of FIG. 3). It is also notedthat by concealing the interaction of the fastener 126 with theretention groove 114, a continuous substantially smooth internal surface140 of the interface material 138 is presented for interaction withmating surfaces, such as an external surface of a door or drawer frontof cabinetry.

Referring next to FIGS. 5 and 6, shown therein is a combination toiletpaper roll dispenser and towel ring embodiment of the inventive portablearticle support apparatus 100. In providing a combination toilet paperroll and towel ring embodiment, it is noted that the first leaf springportion 106 is extended to be of substantially the same length as thesecond leaf spring portion 108, and that the interface material 138 isconfigured for attachment to the collective internal surface 134 of theutility clip 102. Other than the configuration alterations of theutility clip 102 and the interface material 138, the remainingcomponents are common to those of the towel ring embodiment of FIG. 2,and the toilet paper roll embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 further shows aretention aperture 170 (shown in small dashed line outline form) formedwithin the body of the post 110, and accessible from the distal end ofthe post 110. During the assembly operation the shaft 112 (shown inlarge dashed line outline form) is pressed into locking engagement withthe post 110 via the retention aperture 170.

FIGS. 7 and 8 collectively show an expandable towel bar embodiment ofthe inventive portable article support apparatus 100. The expandabletowel bar embodiment includes an expandable bar portion 150 with atleast one hollow bar portion 152 configured to accommodate acorresponding sliding bar portion 154 in a slip fit relationship. Thatis, the hollow bar portion 152 is configured to allow a slip fitrelationship between an internal diameter of the hollow bar portion 152and an external diameter of the corresponding sliding bar portion 154.As shown by FIG. 8, a first confinement bushing 156 is confined withinthe internal diameter of the hollow bar portion 152 by a flange portion158 of the hollow bar portion 152, and a second confinement bushing 160is confined adjacent the external diameter of the corresponding slidingbar portion 154 by a flange portion 162 of the corresponding sliding barportion 154. When the first confinement bushing 156 interacts with thesecond confinement bushing 160, the corresponding sliding bar portion154 is precluded from becoming disengaged from the hollow bar portion152.

FIGS. 9 and 10 collectively show a finger pull embodiment of theinventive portable article support apparatus 100. The finger pullembodiment includes a finger pull portion 164 that includes at least aknob portion 166 with a shaft portion 168 affixed to the knob portion166. Preferably, the finger pull embodiment further includes theretention aperture 170 formed within a body portion of the shaft portion168 and accessible from a distal end of the shaft portion 168. In apreferred embodiment, the retention aperture 170 is a threaded retentionaperture configured to interact with a threaded fastener 172 to providethe means for securing the finger pull portion 164 to the utility clip102.

In another preferred finger pull embodiment, the retention aperture 170is configured to accommodate a pressing of a proximal end of a retentiondowel 174 into locking engagement with the retention aperture 170. Withthe retention dowel 174 pressed into position within the retentionaperture 170, a staking operation forms a staked head 176 on the distalend of the retention dowel 174 to provide the means for securing thefinger pull portion 164 to the utility clip 102.

In an alternate preferred finger pull embodiment, the retention aperture170 is configured to accommodate passage of a barrel portion of a rivet178, in which the barrel portion (not separately shown) of the rivet 178is in a slip fit relationship with the retention aperture 170. With thebarrel portion of the rivet 178 positioned within the retention aperture170, a head portion 180 of the rivet 178 is preferably positioned inpressing contact adjacent a backside surface of the raised supportregion 122. Upon activation of the rivet 178, the barrel portion expandsinto locking engagement with the retention aperture 170, and the headportion 180 draws into pressing engagement with the backside surface ofthe raised support region 122 to provide the means for securing thefinger pull portion 164 to the utility clip 102.

In another alternate finger pull preferred embodiment, the retentionaperture 170 is configured to accommodate pressing of the distal end ofthe shaft 112 into locking engagement with the retention aperture 170.With the distal end of the shaft 112 positioned within the retentionaperture 170, and with the retention groove 114 on the distal end of theshaft 112 protruding beyond the backside surface of the raised supportregion 122, the fastener 126 is pressed into locking engagement with theretention groove 114 to provide the means for securing the finger pullportion 164 to the utility clip 102. However, to accommodate a controlrotation of the utility clip 102 relative to an article support (such asthe towel ring 120, the toilet paper roll support 148, or the expandablebar portion 150), the fastener 127 may be used as an alternate to thefastener 126 to provide the means for securing the finger pull portion164 to the utility clip 102.

FIGS. 11 and 12 collectively show a garment hook embodiment of theinventive portable article support apparatus 100. The garment hookembodiment includes a garment hook portion 182 that includes at least ahook portion 184 with a shaft portion 186 affixed to the hook portion184. Preferably, the garment hook embodiment further includes aretention aperture 188 formed within a body portion of the shaft portion186 and is accessible from a distal end of the shaft portion 186. In apreferred embodiment, the retention aperture 188 is a threaded retentionaperture configured to interact with the threaded fastener 172 toprovide the means for securing the garment hook portion 182 to theutility clip 102.

In another preferred garment hook embodiment, the retention aperture 188is configured to accommodate a pressing of the proximal end of theretention dowel 174 into locking engagement with the retention aperture188. With the retention dowel 174 pressed into position within theretention aperture 188, a staking operation forms the staked head 176 onthe distal end of the retention dowel 174 to provide the means forsecuring the garment hook portion 182 to the utility clip 102.

In an alternate preferred garment hook embodiment, the retentionaperture 188 is configured to accommodate passage of the barrel portionof the rivet 178, in which the barrel portion of the rivet 178 is in aslip fit relationship with the retention aperture 188. With the barrelportion of the rivet 178 positioned within the retention aperture 188,the head portion 180 of the rivet 178 is preferably positioned inpressing contact adjacent the backside surface of the raised supportregion 122. Upon activation of the rivet 178, the barrel portion expandsinto locking engagement with the retention aperture 188, and the headportion draws into pressing engagement with the backside surface of theraised support region 122 to provide the means for securing the fingerpull portion 164 to the utility clip 102.

In another alternate garment hook preferred embodiment, the retentionaperture 188 is configured to accommodate pressing of the distal end ofthe shaft 112 into locking engagement with the retention aperture 188.With the distal end of the shaft 112 positioned within the retentionaperture 188, and with the retention groove 114 on the distal end of theshaft 112 protruding beyond the backside surface of the raised supportregion 122, the fastener 126 is pressed into locking engagement with theretention groove 114 to provide the means for securing the finger pullportion 164 to the utility clip 102. However, to accommodate a controlrotation of the utility clip 102 relative to an article support (such asthe towel ring 120, the toilet paper roll support 148, or the expandablebar portion 150), the fastener 127 may be used as an alternate to thefastener 126 to provide the means for securing the finger pull portion164 to the utility clip 102.

FIG. 13 shows a key ring embodiment of the inventive portable articlesupport apparatus 100. The key ring embodiment includes a key ring 190that includes at least: a hinge portion 192, which provides access to aninternal surface of the key ring; and a locking clasp 194 that mitigatesan unwanted removal of the key ring 190 from the utility clip 102.Preferably, the key ring embodiment further includes a configurationthat features: the first leaf spring portion 106 extending in a firstdirection from the bridge portion 104; the second leaf spring portion108 extending in a second direction from the bridge portion 104, andwherein the first and second leaf spring portions (106, 108) are nonadjacent one another. In securing the key ring 190 to the utility clip102, the locking clasp 194 is opened, and the hinge portion 192 promotesthe provision of an opening between a first and a second clasp portion(not shown separately) of the locking clasp 194. The first clasp portionis passed through the article support mounting aperture 124, and thesecond clasp portion of the locking clasp 194 is re-clasped to the firstclasp portion to secure the key ring 190 to the raised support region122.

Preferably, the first and second leaf spring portions (106, 108) eachjoin the bridge portion 104 at their respective proximal ends, and thekey ring embodiment further includes an article retention member 196extending from a distal end of the second leaf spring portion 108, and aretention hook member 198 extending from a distal end of the first leafspring portion 106. Preferentially, the article retention member 196,and the retention hook member 198 each extend in a direction that issubstantially parallel to the bridge portion 104. It is noted that inthe key ring embodiment a distance 200, between the proximal and distalend of the first leaf spring portion is substantially twenty-twomillimeters, which is substantially the same distance between theproximal ends of the first and second leaf spring portions of at leastthe: towel ring; toilet paper roll dispenser; combination toilet paperroll dispenser and towel ring; expandable towel bar, and finger pullembodiments of the inventive portable article support apparatus 100.

FIG. 14 shows a method 300 of making an inventive portable articlesupport apparatus, such as 100. The method commences at start processstep 302, and continues with process step 304. At process step 304, autility clip, such as 102, is provided. The utility clip preferablyincludes at least a bridge portion, such as 104, joined at a proximalend of each a first leaf spring portion, such as 106, and a second leafspring portion 108. In a preferred embodiment, a raised support region,such as 122, and an article support mounting aperture 124 that issubstantially centrally located within the raised support region isprovided by the second leaf spring portion. The article support mountingaperture is preferably configured for sliding interaction with a shaft,such as 112. At process step 306, a retention groove, such as 114, isformed on a distal end of the shaft, and at process step 308, a proximalend of the shaft is secured within a retention aperture, such as 170, or188, of a post, such as 110. Access to the retention aperture ispreferably provided on a distal end of the post.

The method continues at process step 310, where an article supportconfinement aperture, such as 116, is fashioned within a body portion ofthe post, and is accessed through a proximal end of the post. At processstep 312, an article support (such as the towel ring 120, the toiletpaper roll support 148, or the expandable bar portion 150) is attachedto the post via the article support confinement aperture. At processstep 314, a compression spring, such as 128, is aligned with the shaft.At process step 316, the shaft, together with the compression spring arepassed through a compression spring retention aperture, such as 132, ofan escutcheon, such as 130; and the retention groove is pushed throughthe article support mounting aperture. At process step 318, thecompression spring is compressed between a raised support region of theutility clip and the distal end of the post, and at process step 320,the retention groove of the shaft is pushed through the article supportmounting aperture.

Continuing at process step 322, a fastener, such as 126, is pressed overthe distal end of the shaft and into locking engagement with theretention groove. At process step 324, an external surface, such as 142,of an interface material, such as 138, is attached to a collectiveinternal surface, such as 134, of the utility clip and the methodconcludes at end process step 326.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the advantagesmentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presentlypreferred embodiments have been described for purposes of thisdisclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassedwithin the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. An article support apparatus comprising: a bridge portion; a firstleaf spring portion extending from a first end of the bridge portion; asecond leaf spring portion extending from a second end of the bridgeportion, wherein the second leaf spring portion provides an articlesupport mounting aperture; an article support attached to the secondleaf spring portion by means for attaching the article support to thesecond leaf spring portion; and means for securing to the second leafspring portion said attaching means, in which the article support is afinger pull, the first and second leaf spring portions arenon-contactingly adjacent one another, and in which the bridge portionand the first and second leaf spring portions each comprise an internaland an external surface, and further in which the means for attachingthe finger pull to the second leaf spring portion comprises: a raisedsupport region providing the article support mounting aperture, theraised support region comprising an exterior surface and an interiorsurface; a knob portion of the finger pull; a shaft portion of thefinger pull with a proximal end rigidly affixed to a distal end of theknob portion, wherein a distal end of the shaft portion is in pressingcommunication with the exterior surface of the raised support region;and a retention aperture formed within the body of the shaft, theretention aperture accessible from a distal end of the shaft portion andaligned with the article support mounting aperture.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, in which the retention aperture comprises a threaded retentionaperture, and in which the means for securing to the second leaf springportion the means for attaching the finger pull to the second leafspring portion comprises a threaded fastener passed through the articlesupport mounting aperture and into locking interaction with the threadedretention aperture.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising aretention dowel with a proximal end in pressing engagement with theretention aperture, and in which the means for securing to the secondleaf spring portion the means for attaching the finger pull to thesecond leaf spring portion comprises a staked head on a distal end ofthe retention dowel in pressing contact with the interior surface of theraised support region.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the meansfor securing to the second leaf spring portion the means for attachingthe finger pull to the second leaf spring portion comprises a rivet witha barrel portion passed through the article support mounting apertureand into sliding interaction with the retention aperture, and a headportion contacting the interior surface of the raised support region,wherein upon activating the rivet, the barrel portion expands intolocking engagement with the retention aperture and the head portiondraws into pressing engagement with the interior surface of the raisedsupport region.
 5. An article support apparatus comprising: a bridgeportion; a first leaf spring portion extending from a first end of thebridge portion; a second leaf spring portion extending from a second endof the bridge portion, wherein the second leaf spring portion providesan article support mounting aperture; an article support attached to thesecond leaf spring portion by means for attaching the article support tothe second leaf spring portion; and means for securing to the secondleaf spring portion said attaching means, in which the article supportis a garment hook, the first and second leaf spring portions arenon-contactingly adjacent one another, and in which the bridge portionand the first and second leaf spring portions each comprise an internaland an external surface, and further in which the means for attachingthe garment hook to the second leaf spring portion comprises: a raisedsupport region providing the article support mounting aperture, theraised support region comprising an exterior surface and an interiorsurface; a hook portion of the garment hook; a shaft portion of thegarment hook with a proximal end rigidly affixed to a distal end of thehook portion, wherein a distal end of the shaft portion is in pressingcommunication with the exterior surface of the raised support region;and a retention aperture formed within the body of the shaft portion,the retention aperture accessible from a distal end of the shaft andaligned with the article support mounting aperture.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, in which the retention aperture comprises a threaded retentionaperture, and in which the means for securing to the second leaf springportion the means for attaching the garment hook to the second leafspring portion comprises a threaded fastener passed through the articlesupport mounting aperture and into locking interaction with the threadedretention aperture.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising aretention dowel with a proximal end in pressing engagement with theretention aperture, and in which the means for securing to the secondleaf spring portion the means for attaching the garment hook to thesecond leaf spring portion comprises a staked head on a distal end ofthe retention dowel in pressing contact with the interior surface of theraised support region.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the meansfor securing to the second leaf spring portion the means for attachingthe garment hook to the second leaf spring portion comprises a rivetwith a barrel portion passed through the article support mountingaperture and into sliding interaction with the retention aperture, and ahead portion contacting the interior surface of the raised supportregion, wherein upon activating the rivet, the barrel portion expandsinto locking engagement with the retention aperture and the head portiondraws into pressing engagement with the interior surface of the raisedsupport region.
 9. An article support apparatus comprising: a bridgeportion; a first leaf spring portion extending from a first end of thebridge portion; a second leaf spring portion extending from a second endof the bridge portion, wherein the second leaf spring portion providesan article support mounting aperture; an article support attached to thesecond leaf spring portion by means for attaching the article support tothe second leaf spring portion; and means for securing to the secondleaf spring portion said attaching means, in which the article supportis a key ring with an internal diameter and an exterior diameter, thefirst leaf spring portion extends in a first direction from the bridgeportion, the second leaf spring portion extends in a second directionfrom the bridge portion, and wherein the first and second leaf springportions are non adjacent one another, and further in which the meansfor attaching the key ring to the second leaf spring portion comprises:a raised support region providing the article support mounting aperture,the raised support region comprising an exterior surface and an interiorsurface; and means for engaging the interior diameter of the key ring insliding contact with the interior surface of the raised support region.10. The apparatus of claim 9, in which the means for engaging theinterior diameter of the key ring in sliding contact with the interiorsurface of the raised support region comprises a hinge portion of thekey ring, and in which the means for securing to the second leaf springportion the means for attaching the key ring to the second leaf springportion comprises means for maintaining the interior diameter of the keyring in sliding contact with the interior surface of the raised supportregion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the means formaintaining the interior diameter of the key ring in sliding contactwith the interior surface of the raised support region comprises alocking clasp, and in which the second leaf spring portion joins thebridge portion at a proximal end of the second leaf spring portion, andsupports an article retention member extending from a distal end of thesecond leaf spring portion, the article retention member extending in adirection substantially parallel to the bridge portion.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, in which the first leaf spring portion joins thebridge portion at a proximal end of the first leaf spring portion, andsupports a retention hook member extending from a distal end of thefirst leaf spring portion, the retention hook member extending in adirection substantially parallel to the bridge portion.